The Weekly Roar - Friday, April 28, 2023

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletin en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى


 

The Lion’s Roar

April 28, 2023

 

 

This week's activities included a springtime field trip to the National Zoo for 2nd grade classes.

 

2nd graders at the Zoo

2nd graders at the zoo

2nd graders at the zoo

2nd graders at the zoo

2nd graders at the zoo

 

Earlier this month, students in Ms. Priftis' 4th grade class showed off their projects about famous Americans by hosting an American History Museum for other students and parents.

Students showing off projects about famous Americans

Students showing off projects about famous Americans

Students showing off projects about famous Americans


Upcoming Events

  • Sunday, 4/30 – Safety Patrol applications due (4th and 5th graders)
  • Monday, 5/1 – SOL Testing window begins
  • Tuesday, 5/2 – PTA Meeting/Elections
  • Thursday, 5/4 – Family Literacy Night
  • Monday, 5/8 – Friday, 5/12 – Teacher Appreciation Week
  • Monday, 5/29 – Memorial Day Holiday, school and office CLOSED

 

In This Issue

  • SOL Testing Begins Next Week
  • Join Us for Literacy Night Next Thursday, May 4th
  • Patrol Applications Due This Sunday!
  • Teacher Appreciation Week Is Coming Soon, May 8th – 12th
  • Fourth Quarter Library Reminders
  • PTA News: 2023-2024 Executive Board nominations and election
  • Parent Resources: Special Education Conference, New Name for Parent Resource Center, Upcoming Webinars
  • FCPS News & Announcements: Safety & Security Town Hall & More!

 

News & Notes

 

SOL Testing Begins Next Week

If you have a child in grades 3 through 6, please remember that required Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) testing begins next week. You can find a calendar of testing dates below and in the Notification of Testing document, which also includes more details about assessments and FAQs.

You can help your children be physically prepared for testing by ensuring that they have a good night’s sleep the night before, eat a healthy breakfast in the morning, and come to school with a positive attitude. We also ask that you avoid scheduling appointments that will take your child out of school on test days. Make-up days will be available, but it’s best for students to take the tests on the scheduled day with their class. Retakes for certain students who qualify will start later in May.

If you have any questions about the SOLs or other academic concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

 

Lane SOL schedule

 

Join Us for Literacy Night Next Thursday, May 4th, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Did you know that FCPS recently changed the way schools teach students to read? Are you curious about this process and what language arts lessons look like in the classroom? If so, please plan to join us next Thursday, May 4th for Literacy Night! Parents and students will get to visit three different sessions where teachers will present different strategies, such as interactive read-aloud, word study, and small group work.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a Q&A session with Lane’s Reading Specialist, Ms. Randolph, and the first session begins at 6:05. Parents will have an additional chance to ask questions at the end of the event. You can find more details on this flyer.

If you'd like to learn more about literacy at Lane, please review the links below:

We hope to see you Thursday!

 

Patrol Application Now Open for 2023-2024 School Year

Lane Safety Patrol applications are now open! Any current 4th or 5th grader may apply to be a Safety Patrol for the 2023-2024 school year. Just follow this link to apply: https://forms.gle/QmVav32FqmffzpMk8.

Students and parents are encouraged to complete the application together so they are both aware of the requirements, duties, and responsibilities. Applications are due Sunday, April 30, 2023. Notifications of acceptance will be emailed to the student’s school account and to the parent’s email address the week of May 22nd. Please contact the Patrol Sponsor, Ms. Kurtenbach (Ms.K), with any questions at CLKurtenbach@FCPS.edu.

 

Teacher Appreciation Week Is Coming Soon, May 8th – 12th

The week of May 8th through 12th is National Teacher Appreciation Week. At Lane, we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week, as we honor all the amazing adults who work so hard with our students every day. This includes not only classroom teachers but also specialists (art, music, P. E., etc.), resource teachers (special education, ESOL, reading, math, etc.), and instructional assistants.

If you would like to express your appreciation for the work your child’s teacher has done this year, we encourage you to do so. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, as the best gifts are often simple and free. The Lane PTA has created special spirit days for the entire week with suggested tokens of appreciation:

Thank you for supporting our Lane staff!

 

Lane Teacher Appreciation themes

 

 

Fourth Quarter Library Reminders

With the beginning of final quarter of the school year, please note the following upcoming library protocols:

  • Starting on Thursday, May 18th notices to help remind students of ALL of their checked-out library materials (not just overdue items) will be emailed weekly.
  • All student library books are due on Friday, June 2nd. Please do your best to get them in by this date!
  • As always, the library does not have fees for overdue books; however, families are expected to pay the replacement cost for books that are lost or returned damaged.

Thank you for supporting the library! Contact Mrs. Chozick, Librarian, at schozick@fcps.edu with questions.

 


 

PTA News

 

Lane PTA Needs Your Help! Nominations Now Open for Next Year’s Executive Board

The Lane PTA is looking for parents/caregivers or staff members who are interested in joining the PTA Board for the 2023-2024 school year. Key PTA Board positions will be open, including President; Co-Vice President, Communications; Vice President, Fundraising; Secretary; and Treasurer. All of the current officeholders for these positions have served the two consecutive terms allowed under the organization’s by-laws or are leaving Lane. Two key committee chair positions are also open – Membership/Volunteers and Restaurant Nights.

The positions of President and Treasurer must be filled in order for the organization to continue to exist.

Elections will take place at the May PTA meeting next Tuesday, May 2nd.

To put your name in the running, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4aada722abfbc25-ptaboard.

Thank you in advance for your support!

 


 

Parent Resources

 

2023 FCPS Special Education Conference – Saturday, April 29th

Special Education Conference video

 

If you have a child with special needs or want to learn more about the special-education process and supports available, plan to attend this year’s virtual FCPS Special Education Conference on Saturday, April 29th. More information is available at www.fcps.edu/Special-Education-Conference.

 

Parent Resource Center Is Now the Family Resource Center

FCPS’ Parent Resource Center has changed its name to the Family Resource Center (FRC), as a way to acknowledge and support the broad diversity of families in our community. The FRC continues to offer a wide range of essential resources and education for caregivers and students including:

Families can find printable resource guides and details about the center’s free lending library on FRC’s homepage. They may also sign up to receive the FRC newsletter for updates on webinars, resources, and other information. If you have questions, please contact the FRC via email at frc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941.

 

Upcoming FRC Webinars

The FRC is hosting the following upcoming webinars. Events are virtual unless stated otherwise.

(Click the webinar titles to register)

Let's Talk About Grief: What To Say And How To Support Children And Adolescents Who Have Lost A Loved One

May 5, 2023 10 - 11 a.m.

This presentation will provide information and guidance on how to talk about grief and loss with children and teens. Parents, guardians, and other supportive adults are welcome to join to learn about what they can do to support the grieving child in their life.

Webinar highlights:

  • What to expect of a grieving child/teen
  • How to navigate conversations about grief & loss
  • Legacy & meaning-making activities to do as a family
  • Resources for further support

Presented by Jemma Stratton, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and pediatric oncology therapist with the Inova Life with Cancer program.

 

Equitable Access to Literacy: The Keys to Literacy Success

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) Plan outlines the division’s continuous improvement efforts to align practices with science-based reading research.

We are excited to share webinars for families to learn about the shifts that FCPS is making to improve literacy instruction.

Webinar Highlights:

  • What is the Science of Reading?
  • What is the Virginia Literacy Act?
  • How is the Equitable Access to Literacy Plan being implemented?
  • Why is this so important for my student’s reading life?

Presented by Tara Hewan, Carrie Leestma, and Natasha Saunders.

 

Portrait of a Graduate: The Keys to Success in Life: A Webinar for Families

Friday, May 12th, 10 - 11:30 a,m.

In this session, families and caregivers will learn about the what, the why, and the how of the FCPS Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and skills. Participants will walk away with tangible strategies for supporting their children in owning and growing these transferable 21st-century skills.

Webinar Highlights:

  • What are Portrait of a Graduate skills?
  • Why are these skills important in school and in life?
  • What is a Portrait of a Graduate Presentation of Learning (POG POL)?
  • Why is POG POL an effective measurement tool?
  • How can you support at home?

Join Nishi Langhorne, Manager of Learning Innovations, FCPS Instructional Services for this important webinar.

 


 

FCPS News & Announcements

 

Community Conversation: School Safety and Security

FCPS will host a community conversation to discuss our approach to safety and security, and the work we do every day to keep our schools safe. Join us Monday, May 8th, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School. Registration information will be available soon.

FCPS staff and experts will review our risk-assessment processes, the physical measures we already have in place to protect our students and staff, pilot programs to detect vaping, and how we communicate and collaborate with our partners when there is an incident at our schools.

 

Final Feedback Opportunity - Strategic Plan Survey

FCPS has almost completed the process of drafting a new Strategic Plan, which will guide our school division in the years ahead. Please participate in our brief survey regarding final input on the Strategic Plan’s draft goals, measures, and pillars. The goals are what we want for all students, and the measures are how we will determine our progress in reaching those goals. The pillars are the things that FCPS must do well to reach our goals. Your voice matters! Take the survey.

Thank you for being a part of this important work! Learn more about the Strategic Planning process.